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Brides Up North does like to feature the best Northern talent… and my, my the musicians represented by AMV Live Music are just that. Officially.
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Between sets, Brides Up North chatted to Michael of AMV Live Music about their superior service and what makes for a great wedding score.
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What and who is AMV Live Music?
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AMV Live Music is a new music agency in Newcastle with a difference. It was set up by myself, Michael Forster and Andrew Garner and between us we have over thirty years experience in the entertainment business both on and off stage. We only sign high quality bands and musicians and over 80% of our artists have either Bachelor’s or Master’s in Music degrees.
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How can AMV Live Music make my wedding day memorable?
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We can provide almost every type of music imaginable and for every aspect of the wedding day. For instance during the ceremony we have the two best Classical String Quartets in the North East and unlike many Quartets they are willing to alter their repertoire to suit your taste. We have Classical guitarists and Soprano’s to welcome you into and accompany you out of the church. For receptions we have some of the finest pianists, guitarists and saxophonists offering everything from Classical music to Jazz to Rock and Pop to entertain guests whilst they wait for the wedding breakfast. We also have some of the finest male and female vocalists who can accompany all of our solo musicians. For the night-time festivities we have what we believe to be the finest choice of "non-cheesy" bands that there is in the North East. You won’t find any "cabaret" vocals with our bands, just extremely tight musicians with vocals that make a difference.
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What sort of acts does AMV Live Music represent?
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We represent Bands, Soloists, Duo’s, Jazz bands and musicians, DJ’s, Céilidhs, Classical String Quartets, Sopranos, Harpists, Classical Guitarists & Pianists, Saxophonists, Pipers and Traditional Folk Ensembles.
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What sets AMV Live Music apart from other agents?
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We have worked at some of the highest levels of the industry and will only put our name to the highest quality musicians as we could not sleep at night knowing that someone’s biggest day of their lives might be upset by a sub standard musician or band. When setting the agency up we were told by some of our peers up here that the average person doesn’t recognise quality over price. I dispute that enormously, when such care is taken over the smallest of details of someone’s wedding then the same care should be applied to their entertainment as it is probably one of the main parts of their day their guests will remember. We know we are competitive on price and we know we supply the best live music there is here in the North East.
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How can Brides Up North hear demos before booking?
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By visiting www.amvlivemusic.com - all of our artists have demo’s on the site and an example of their repertoire, many also have video’s of live performance and we are encouraging them all to invest in getting a video produced. However we have personally been to see all of our artists and can vouch for their demo quality being the same as their live performance. We have refused to represent some artists who had fantastic demo’s but when live were awful.
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Can Brides Up North see a video of an act playing another wedding?
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We are working with all of our bands to video their performances, some have videoed a public gig and some have done so at another wedding but the best way to confirm what you are going to get is to go along and see them perform at a public gig. We try to get our bands public gigs at Mr Lynch and As You Like It, Jesmond on a regular basis.
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Why book through AMV Live Music rather than approaching an act direct?
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Most bands work through the day on another job and then perform at night and this often leaves some of the arrangements to the last minute. This is our day and night job, we are professional to the end and we make sure that each bride gets what they ask for, for instance a first dance or a specific set-list. We also make sure all of our bands are insured and that they are PAT tested which every venue will ask for. We do not charge the bride and groom for this, we charge the artists, so for the happy couple it’s a win win situation of once it’s booked we take care of everything and any extra requests.
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Does live music really make that much of a difference?
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Absolutely it does, a good band can judge the mood of the crowd and can engage with it making the night go as best as it can. Recorded music can’t do this and it just doesn’t have the same atmosphere as great live band in the evening or a string quartet playing in the chapel. It adds a dimension to your day and night that can not be replicated buy just having recorded music. Go to any live gig and watch what the audience are doing when there is a DJ and what they are doing when the live band is on, the difference is huge, live music stirs something inside of us all, as long as it is done well!
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What would be your top three tips for choosing live music for a wedding?
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1. Go and see the band play live
2. Have a look at their repertoire list to make sure they play the right kind of music for you
3. Enquire about the reputation of both the agency and the act you are wanting to book from other sources.
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What type of music would you recommend during drinks/ dinner/ for dancing?
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Drinks: A pianist with accompanying vocals or a saxophonist
Dinner: Pianist, String Quartet (they don’t have to play purely classical music)
Dancing: A live band with a great front man/woman who can engage the audience and follow their mood.
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How can Brides Up North find out more about AMV Live Music?
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By visiting our website or by contacting us directly. We will provide a step by step process of making sure that they get exactly the right music for their wedding, no matter how long it takes.
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How much can Brides Up North expect to pay?
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It varies hugely on what it is you are after, from £150 for a saxophonist to play for an hour, up to £1000 for a big six piece band to play for over two hours. We have everything in between, what we can guarantee is that you won’t find better quality at better prices anywhere else.
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Anything else to tell Brides Up North?
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We are running special offers at the moment where you can book seamless music throughout your day at a discounted rate compared to booking them separately.
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Why do you like and sponsor the Brides Up North blog?
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As we are a new business also we have approached the wedding industry from a different angle to the established providers and we feel that Brides Up North has too. Brides and Grooms are usually young and are therefore social media savvy and so is Brides Up North. We like what you’re doing!
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Why, thank you! 🙂
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AMV Live Music is a Brides Up North Featured Supplier
Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier
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